Keep Your Facility On Lockdown

Leaving the protection of your facility to chance is not something any facility manager should ever consider.

Even if your facility isn''t harboring state secrets, chances are whatever is inside is relatively important and, whether large or small, most facilities have some sort of security system in place.

There are many to choose from, so you must be sure to choose the type of system that best suits your needs.

Are you in an urban, populated area that is known for its crime, or is the facility located in a more remote area?

Each of these areas will have their own problems and pitfalls.

Just because you''re out of the way doesn''t necessarily mean you can have less security.

One of the most important objectives of modern security systems is to keep unauthorized people out of a facility.

"Locks and keys are among the most trusted methods, due to their simplicity and reliability. But, the simple fact of the matter is locks and keys can be compromised just as easily — and these systems have no built-in intelligence," says Paul Rosenberg, a security consultant.

Anyone who has seen even a single episode of any crime drama, even in passing, knows how easily the simple lock and key system can be compromised.

Keys can be lost or stolen; locks can be picked; doors and windows can be forced open.

Additional Measures

Most facilities, big or small, have more than one type of security system in place.

Parts of a facility may utilize lock and key systems, but they will also have a backup system — such as a keypad system — installed on inner doors where people will be working or where materials or equipment are stored.

The keypad system is an added level of security.

A type of security system becoming increasingly popular is closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems.

These systems utilize security cameras throughout the facility and its grounds and feeds images to a bank of televisions that can be monitored from a central location.

CCTV is popping up in more and more facilities despite the negative connotation that the systems can have.

There are those who don''t necessarily love the "big brother is always watching" feeling but, then again, those people may well have more than a passing interest in not being seen.

No matter what type of security system your facility has, whether it is high- or low-tech, the system needs to be properly maintained.

A security system is only effective if it is well-maintained and in good repair.

"As security systems and programs take a more significant position in business operations, security managers are saddled with the key responsibility of keeping systems running at peak efficiency," Rosenberg adds.

No matter what kind of security system you have, there are steps that need to be taken to ensure that the system is in proper working order.

Locks should be clean and well-oiled and making proper contact with their locking mechanism.

Keys should also be maintained or periodically replaced to avoid rusting.

CCTV systems should be tested to ensure that all cameras are working and pointing where they will be most effective in deterring any sort of security breach.

The televisions or computer monitors used to observe the security cameras should also be periodically tested.

If there is recording equipment involved to keep an electronic record or backup of security data, the equipment should be tested for available memory and to ensure that the system is actually recording and saving data.

Security systems are an essential part of any facility.

Without one, the facility is very likely to be compromised in some way, shape or form.

If your facility has the correct type of security system for its size and location, it is important that the system be maintained and any flaws or problems be corrected immediately.

Amanda Martini-Hughes is the assistant editor of Cleaning & Maintenance Management magazine. A graduate from Siena College, she can be reached at AMartini-Hughes@EBSCO.com. Since joining the publication, Martini-Hughes has worked on numerous industry articles and is responsible for populating the industry's only daily electronic newsletter, CM e-News Daily. Chat online: Facebook.com/CMMOnline and Twitter.com/CMeNewsDaily.